Dubai School of Government, US Consulate General hosts conversation on 'Transparency in International Business and Government'

Ms. Lucinda Low, a partner in the Washington DC firm of Steptoe and Johnson, is visiting the UAE as a guest of the U.S. Consulate General through the department of State's International Special Program.

In her remarks, Ms. Low tracked the development of transparency and accountability standards for global businesses and governments over the last decade with a focus on the US and international anti-corruption laws.

Low added:

"Transparency and accountability are an imperative necessity for both economic development, the rule of law and the protection of individual rights. It is important to acknowledge those companies that make transparency their priority and highlight their unsung but critical corporate initiatives, so that others may learn from them."

Dr Tarik Yousef, Dean of the Dubai School of Government, said:

"Transparency and accountability are critical issues for our region, with local economies increasingly opening up to international investment. Hosting this conversation with government and civil society leaders is part of our mandate to facilitate the exchange of ideas and promote the adoption of global standards in the Arab world."

"These standards, as well as emerging best practices, have spurred multinational companies to develop and implement programmes to prevent and detect violations of law in their business activities - or enhance existing programmes - and to answer to an ever-widening set of enforcement authorities. They have also imposed a range of new obligations on governments. The discussion looked at these developments and trends from the perspective of the government and private sector," Dr Yousef added.

Low is a widely recognized authority on the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), and related international conventions from the OECD, OAS, UN, and European Union. She has represented companies in World Bank investigations, audits, and sanctions proceedings in cases involving anti-corruption rules in World Bank-financed projects. Low also has significant experience in investment disputes between foreign investors and host governments, and commercial arbitration.

In addition, Low is a member of the Board of Directors of Transparency International - USA, and the Secretary of State's Advisory Committee on International Law. She is a former Chair of the ABA Section of International Law, and former Vice President and member of the Executive Committee of the American Society of International Law.

Established in 2005 in cooperation with the Harvard Kennedy School, the Dubai School of Government is committed to the creation of knowledge, dissemination of global best practices, and the training of policy makers in the Arab world. The school is focused on capacity building and conducts various programmes that seek to promote good governance through enhancing the region's capacity for effective public policy.